Inspired by Emily

Art show in South Burlington honors writings, legacy and memory of 15-year-old

Dec. 13, 2013

Monica Lyman hold up a stained glass piece illustrating the birth and death dates of her daughter as she organizes The 'Inspired by Emily Art Show' for her daughter Emily Lyman who died of leukemia after having fought the disease for 13 years. This show will feature artwork by people all over the world who were inspired by Emily's poetry.This photo was taken on Dec. 4. / LYNN MONTY, Free Press

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Free Press Staff Writer

The 'Inspired by Emily Art Show' will be held at 4 Market Street in South Burlington in honor of Emily Lyman who died from leukemia after having fought the disease for 13 years. This show will be held on Dec. 7, these photos were taken as the event was being set up on Dec. 4. / LYNN MONTY, Free Press

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Leukemia took the life of Emily Lyman, 15, last year. This month her life was celebrated through her own poetry illustrated by artists worldwide.

Emily’s mother, Monica of Burlington has organized an art show called Inspired By Emily Art Show in South Burlington Dec. 7.

A quilt hung on the pop-up gallery wall hand stitched by Nancy Pecor of Milton. She heard about Lyman’s project and paid her a visit. “It’s the lake through the seasons, and Nancy took some of Emily’s clothes and put them into this quilt,” Lyman said as she ran her hand along the squares. “This is her graduation dress, her favorite shirt, and this is her sweater she wore, the same sweater she wears when she visits me in my dreams.”

More than 200 pieces of art were submitted to be shown alongside the writings of Emily. Fifty of those pieces will be chosen for a book of her poetry that will be published. All proceeds will go to the Emily M Lyman Foundation.

Monica Lyman’s sister-in-law Janet Bradley of London, an artist, was there to help organize and set up the show. The massive space to house this gallery is next to the Department of Motor Vehicles in South Burlington was donated by a friend.

Bradley said the donations are incredible and diverse. “The work and the diversity in ages of people who submitted artwork is amazing,” she said.

The show is inspired by Emily, but Bradley said she is also inspired by Monica. “I am inspired by what she’s been able to do through her grief and love,” she said. “It’s turning years of struggle toward what is going to be years of growth and continuation of life. Poetry, grace, love, light, those things don’t die. It’s just wonderful. This is a celebration of what was so alive about Emily, and what still is.”

Emily Lyman was cancer free for the last five years of her life. “It came back on a Tuesday and she was gone by Thursday,” her mother said. “It was very unexpected, but it was her fourth relapse.”

She didn’t cry when she found out, Monica Lyman said of her daughter’s relapse. “When she was dying, one of the last things she said was, ‘Mom, do something to make me famous,’” she said.

Lyman started by posting photos of her daughter on Facebook every day, and then stared coupling photos with her daughter’s writing. She then gathered 50 poems and self-advice pieces and set out to publish a book.

“Emily hated TV and loved to read and write,” Lyman said. “I decided to make a book. I know the photographs I had were not enough, so I asked people to illustrate her writing, and the word spread like you would not believe.”

The event is open to the public, and will launch the Emily M Lyman Foundation. There will be artwork for sale, and all of the proceeds will go to the foundation.